Author Archives: Faly Academy

Introducing Sean Hallam – FC Faly Executive Director

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FC Faly is excited to announce that we have appointed a new Executive Director, Sean Hallam, who has joined the club as of January 3rd, 2023. In his new role, Sean will be responsible for all matters to do with the club off the pitch, and will coordinate closely with Coaches, Team Managers and Players to ensure the on-field operations run as smoothly as possible.

Sean has been an avid soccer fan from the age of 7 and is a lifelong supporter of Nottingham Forest FC. He has played various sports, including soccer, from a young age.

Sean moved to Canada from the UK in 2017 to pursue new adventures after qualifying as a lawyer. He has experience working with young people at an international language school and in all aspects of leading, managing and developing an organisation. He is excited to apply his skills, knowledge and experience to move FC Faly forward as the club continues to establish itself in the formal soccer community on the North Shore.

Having been involved in various youth sport, Sean is a firm believer in the value of youth soccer in enhancing the lives of young people and providing them with valuable skills and experience they can carry forward into all aspects of their lives.

Dominic Aidouni Commits to the Capilano University Blues Men’s Soccer Team for Fall 2021 Roster

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Congratulations to Dominic Aidouni on his commitment to the Capilano University Blues! ⚪️🔵

Dominic was introduced into the academy through our School Soccer Programs. He later joined the U21 Faly Academy team in 2018. With his efforts alongside the team that year, they were able to accomplish winning the U21 Men’s Provincial Championship. He is a passionate and strong player that would never give up on the play.

“I first started playing under Faly and his coaching staff in grade 6 where he was my school soccer coach for 3 years. After a couple of years away, I found myself back in the academy where I thrived for the last 4 years. Faly and the coaches have watched my development as a player over the years as I’ve watched the academy grow into one of the most successful soccer academies in BC. I’ve had my share of success playing under Faly. Winning the u21 BC provincial title was one of those successes. It brings me joy to see the direction this academy is heading in. It continues to provide a platform for young soccer players to develop and reach whatever goals they set for themselves. I’m glad to have been a part of it and I look forward to what is coming next for Faly Academy.” – Dominic on his experience with the Faly Academy

https://athletics.capilanou.ca/sports/msoc/2021-22/roster

Matthew Marshall Signs with McGill University Men’s Soccer Team for Fall 2021 Roster

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Matthew Marshall has secured a position on the 2021 roster of the McGill University Redbirds men’s soccer team and the Faly Academy family couldn’t be more proud and excited.  McGill plays in the RSEQ conference in USports, the governing body of Canadian university athletics.

Matthew recently graduated from Carson Graham Secondary School in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He was a recent member of the U21 program at Faly Academy and moved to Montreal in August to start training for the university season.  Matthew is enrolled in the General Arts program.

Matthew Marshall joined Faly Academy in their U13 program in March 2015.  Matthew spent the next six years training and playing at both Centre Back and Centre Defensive Mid.  Most recently, as a 17-year old he helped anchor the defense of one of the best U21 teams in British Columbia.  Matthew is a strong, passionate player whose infectious enthusiasm for the game often sets the tone for many of the teams on which he plays.  During his time with the Academy he captained several teams and played a leading role in numerous overseas travel teams, including three trips to train at FC Metz in France, two years competing in the Paris World Games in France, and the San Marino Cup in Italy.

https://mcgillathletics.ca/sports/mens-soccer/roster

Kyle Azuma Signs with McGill University Men’s Soccer Team for Fall 2021 Roster

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Faly Academy is proud to announce that Kyle Azuma has secured a position on the 2021 roster of the McGill University Redbirds men’s soccer team.  McGill plays in the RSEQ conference in USports, the governing body of Canadian university athletics.

Kyle recently graduated from Handsworth Secondary School in North Vancouver, British Columbia.  He was a recent member of the U21 program at Faly Academy and moved to Montreal in August to start training for the university season.  Kyle is enrolled in the General Arts program McGill University

Kyle Azuma initially joined Faly Academy at the age of 11 in 2015, where he spent a season with their U13 program. He then parted ways with the academy temporarily, but eventually made the decision to come back to Faly Academy in 2018, where he played for the U17 team as well as the U21 team. During his second spell, he played in the VMSL U21 division, and was also a part of the travel team which competed in the Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup International Showcase. Kyle is a technical playmaker who brings a creative spark to the game. At Faly Academy, he played primarily as an attacking midfielder, as well as a more holding role.

https://mcgillathletics.ca/sports/mens-soccer/roster

Introducing FC Faly

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Faly Academy is proud to introduce FC Faly (Football Club Faly) as the new club brand and as the face of our club teams officially entering various leagues this season.

As a BC Soccer Charter Member, The FC Faly youth teams are are now officially playing in the BC Coastal Soccer League under NSYSA membership. The FC Faly men’s team is currently competing in the FVSL Premier League.

We are truly excited to be playing regular games in leagues now as we remain true to our vision and mission to develop each individual player to reach their full potential no matter what level they are at, or playing in.

We will be updating our website and communications in the coming weeks to reflect FC Faly’s program, structure and how the academy still plays a major part of this club.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Step 3 of the Return to Sport Restart 2.0

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As we are approaching the beginning of the 2021-2022 season, we want to remind all our adherents that Faly Academy is strictly following the guidance of Viasport and BC Soccer in alignment with the recommendations of the BC health authority’s restart plan, in order to provide a safe and inclusive environment to all our players during Covid https://bcsoccer.net/news/post/bc-soccer-releases-updated-return-to-play-plan 

As of July 1st, the “return to sport restart 2.0” plan has entered step 3 https://bcsoccer.net/files/MemberService/ReturnToPlay/June_1_2021_Timelines_Member_Club_Recomendations_Updated_Return_To_Play.pdf 

We’ll keep monitoring the updates and recommendations from BC health authority, Canada Soccer and BC Soccer to ensure the well-being and safety of our players and staff.

Summer camp is still open

Registration for our FUNDAMENTALS MORNING CAMPS (U6-U13) is still open for the following weeks:

  • Week 5 – Aug 16-20 – Confederation AT
  • Week 6 – Aug 23-27 – Confederation AT

You can register through the following link https://falyacademy.com/summer-camps/ 

2021-2022 Season

We are currently preparing the schedule of practices for all our teams.

More information will be provided to our players and parents by the end of August.

Introducing Woodbridge Homes as our Main Sponsor

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We are pleased to announce that Woodbridge Homes has joined our team as our new sponsor, and we invite you all to support Woodbridge Homes.

Woodbridge Homes Ltd. is a real estate developer and builder based in Vancouver. For over 25 years, they have specialized in building livable communities where residents can truly thrive, combining thoughtful design, attainable quality, and longevity.

With the arrival of Woodbridge Homes, our organization will be able to sustain more efficiently the operating expenses associated with our growth, and invest more in our image and place within the Soccer community.

Thank you for your trust, Woodbridge Homes and Welcome to the Faly Family!

Jose Vergani Commits to SCAD Men’s Soccer for Fall 2021 Roster

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Jose Vergani has signed with the SCAD Men’s Soccer team for the fall 2021 roster at The Savannah College of Art and Design.

Jose has been a member of Faly Academy since 2015 and has travelled abroad competing in the Paris World Games and the San Marino Cup. He has been an inspiring individual both on and off the field. The Faly Academy Family is so proud of what he has accomplished and excited for Jose to continue both his passion in soccer and art at The Savannah College of Art and Design.

Read more on the SCAD athletic’s blog here:
SCAD Men’s Soccer Recruit Spotlight: Class of 2021 – Jose Vergani

Anastazi Ahayo Signs with Philadelphia Lone Star FC’s USL2 Team

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Anastazi Ahayo has signed with Philadelphia Lone Star FC’s USL2 team for the 2021 season.

Anastazi has been a full time member of Faly Academy since joining in 2014 with our school program at École des Pionniers. He continued with the Elite and travel teams and trained and competed in France at the Paris World Games for 2 years. Anastazi has recently been competing with our U21 team in the VMSL league and won the Doug Day Provincial Cup, and finished first in the league.

Anastazi has been an exceptionally strong developing player and team captain, and we are very excited for the next steps in his journey.

Tiago Coimbra Signs Contract with Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras

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After 4 years full time at Faly Academy, Tiago Coimbra has signed a contract with Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras.

Tiago started in the Elite Program and recently played the last 2 seasons with the U21 team in the VMSL league where they won the league. He joined the travel team to France (FC Metz) for 3 consecutive years, was a finalist and semi-finalist at Paris World Games for 2 years, won the cup at San Marino Cup 2018, won the U18 SX Cup in 2018, and has participated in many local and US tournaments. Tiago is a pure prodigy of Faly Academy and we couldn’t be more proud.

BC Soccer Announces Full Membership Ability for Private Soccer Organizations

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We are extremely excited to announce that at BC Soccer’s AGM meeting on Nov 5, 2020, a historic vote took place that positively benefits all soccer academies in the Province of British Columbia.

BC Soccer has officially passed a motion allowing for ‘for-profit’ soccer organizations, like Faly Academy, to join the Association as full members. It’s been an extremely long road to achieve this vote and all the coaches at the academy want to thank the group of parents who have worked diligently behind the scenes over the past 5 years on the behalf of FA to gain support within the entire B.C. soccer community.

You will likely have many questions regarding when we will actually be officially a part of the local leagues.  As you can imagine, there is a lot of work to do in order to ensure a successful official season. The deadline for all leagues to include ‘for-profit’ organizations is fall of 2022. There may be opportunities to enter a league earlier which we will continue to look into for our Academy.

Click here to read more regarding this historic vote, please click on the link below.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Doing Your Best to Reduce Rise in Cases

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We would like to thank the players who have been following our Covid rules carefully.  Players have been wearing masks and sanitizing their hands when they arrive and leave games and practices.  Please continue to remind them when you drop them off at practices.

If you are sick, STAY HOME.

Covid numbers are rising and we have to do our do our very best to keep our players and coaches healthy.  With this in mind, we may have to create training cohorts of 6 players moving forward.

If we have a case of Covid, keeping the players in specific training cohorts will help the health authority with contact tracing and hopefully, avoid having large groups of players/ coaches exposed to the virus at one time.

Coaches will be asking their players the following questions:

1.      Which city do they live in and school do they attend?

2.      Are any of the players on their team in their school cohort?

3.      Do you carpool regularly with a player?

We hope to gather this information very quickly.

As well, we may have to change how we organize practices.  Like in July, skills that enable players to remain in their cohorts and keep players at least 2M apart.  

Finally, in the coming months, if the local health authority decides to stop all sports, we will be moving all practices to mandatory Zoom sessions.  Players will be provided the link from their coach via TeamSnap and players will be expected to attend all Zoom practices.  As well, we are currently working on an independent at home fitness program for the players.  This will be provided to all players via TeamSnap soon.  We are determined to ensure that the boys’ mental and physical health remains intact over the Winter months.

Let’s hope that we are able to continue to train together in the coming months but if we cannot, we have a full plan ready to implement.

We ask that you continue to communicate with your coach if your son is struggling in anyway.  We are here for our boys and want to do our part to keep them healthy in all respects.

The situation will remain fluid and I ask everyone to keep in mind that we are doing the best we can under the rules we must operate.  The rules are constantly changing as the virus condition changes.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Start of Season Safety Reminders

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Today marks the official start to our season.  All the coaches are extremely excited to start training all the players and we look forward to seeing everyone on the field.

We are certain that there will be many disruptions throughout the season and so, we ask that we all are kind and patient towards each other.

Be safe.  Follow Health Canada’s and BC Soccers Covid 19 guidelines.  These will be strictly enforced:

1.    If your child(ren) presents ANY common-cold, influenza, or COVID-19 symptoms even if mild, please keep them at home.

Symptoms include:
– Running NoseTemperature
– Cough
– Stomach Ache
– Diarrhea
– Headache
– Body aches and/or pains
– Rash

2.    If any family members have recently travelled outside the country, please keep your player home.

3.    All players must sanitize their hands before entering the pitch.

4.    Players are NOT permitted to handshaking, fist pump, high five or hug a coach or fellow player.

5.    If having a pre or post training discussion with a coach, players are expected to physically distance by 2M.

6.    Players will expected to train at their team’s or group’s specified training times.  Please stay in your cohort train pods.

7.    If carpooling, we suggest that all car members where a mask.

8.    If the Coastal Health authority contacts you regarding potential exposure to the virus, please contact Faly Basse, Technical Director so that he is aware of any protocols the academy may have to implement.

Finally, due to Covid 19, we will not be holding any indoor training sessions this season.

BC Soccer Announces Faly Academy’s Achievement of Charter Membership Status

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Faly Academy is honoured to have recently received the Standard One Club Charter status from BC Soccer. It is the highest standard of membership for a soccer academy in BC, and we gratefully thank BC Soccer for its guidance during the process. To achieve Charter Status, organizations are asked to complete a series of mandates in the governance, administration, and technical aspects of their operation, with the aim of providing best practices to their members.  In addition to realizing higher standards for players, coaches, referees and parents, BC Soccer offers Charter members additional support and recognition.

Among the Charter criteria, is mandatory criminal record checks for every single coach and team official, along with adherence to Canada Soccer’s Long-Term Player Development stages.  BC Soccer visits each club that opts into the program to help them plan and work toward achieving all the standards outlined.

Click here for BC Soccer’s Announcement.

Athos Michellepis de Siqueira Joins Langara Falcons

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Faly Academy would like to congratulate Athos Michellepis de Siqueira for being selected to join the Langara Falcons’ Mens Soccer team. All the best Athos!

Sean Salen – A Faly Academy Player Spotlight

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Joining Faly Academy in 2017, Sean Salen has been setting the tone for achievements including winning the 2019 BC Soccer U21 Doug Day Provincial Cup.

At 5’8 and 160 pounds (72.5kilo), Salen has filled out into a well oiled machine for Faly Academy’s U-21 back line. At the fullback position, he hounds the opposition for the ball and is a key piece of Faly’s build-up play. Salen had also participated in the Academy’s travel team that had a quarter finals finish in the 2017 Paris World Games.

Following the Langara Falcons’ national run in 2018, Sean was recruited as one of the new rookies to the Falcons squad. Having 5 starts and 11 games played in his first year, Sean was getting plenty of Pacwest league experience under 2018 coach of the year, Mark Rizzardo.

As the Falcons fall season has ended, we would like to welcome Sean back and are excited to see him back in action in our VMSL U-21 games with our team comfortably in first place.

Faly Academy Elite Teams Compete in Paris World Games 2019

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Faly Academy’s U11, U13 and U15 Elite teams competed in the 2019 Paris World Games on July 6 – 13, 2019. Faly Academy Elite Teams produced their best results to date in the last 3 out of 4 years attending this tournament.

U15 Elite Boys Team

U15 Elite boys team placed 1st in their group stage.

The U15 Elite boys team worked their way into the final facing the FC Gobelins Paris who they previously defeated 2 – 1. In the final, FC Gobelins Paris defeated Faly Academy 2 -1 leaving Faly Academy at 2nd place overall in the tournament.

Watch the U15 boys Final here:

U13 Elite Boys Team

The U13 Elite Faly Academy boys team made it through to the Playoff A pool. They won their first match 2 – 0 against Spartak Tashkent from Uzbekistan, and then won the quarter final 3-2 against AAS Fresnes from Paris, France. In the semi-final, Faly Academy U13 lost 2 – 1 again Makati Football Club from the Philippines.

Watch the quarter final win here:

 

U11 Elite Boys Team:

The U11 Elite Boys team struggled to find a win in the group stage, but turned around by dominating the Playoff B ladder and became the U11 B Champions. Congratulations boys!

Watch the U11 B Final here: